Prior to the formation of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah's judicial system primarily relied on oral judgments issued by a single judge in a Sharia court. In 1965, the introduction of the first printed judgments marked a significant improvement in judicial procedure.
The first civil court, RAK Court, was established alongside the existing Sharia court in 1971. The new system introduced a "Courts President" who oversaw judges and managed administrative functions, ensuring that judges were selected based on their knowledge, integrity and impartiality.
In recent years, RAK Courts has prioritized modernizing the judicial infrastructure and establishing a robust legal framework, with judicial independence and implementing safeguards to ensure neutrality and fairness in trials central to the progress being made. In line with standards across many other jurisdictions, the court system was expanded to three levels – Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation – to handle various types of cases effectively. To ensure justice, measures were implemented focusing on accurate procedures, documented judgments and guaranteed litigant rights. RAK Courts has subsequently worked to ensure judges are provided with advanced technology, regular training to ensure adherence to evolving regulations and access to best practices from other leading courts.
The highest judicial body in Ras Al Khaimah, the Court of Cassation, was established in 2006 to ensure the consistent interpretation of legal texts and to uphold justice.
RAK Courts Department was among the first in the region to use DNA evidence. Starting in the 1990s, DNA experts were hired for various cases, particularly criminal ones. In 2012, the Court of Cassation issued the first ruling in a paternity case based on a DNA test, and RAK Courts continues to embrace scientific advancements, technology and innovation to this day.